Questioning Technology of Food Production

President Bush says that opposition to genetically modified organisms is based on “unscientific fears” (“Bush Assails Europe Stance on Food Trade,” May 22). GMOs may be harmless or harmful depending on what the modification is, but it’s certainly not unscientific to be concerned about a new technology that affects the food we eat -- and also about the level of testing done before applying that technology.

The danger may be in the eating of the GMO food, or indirectly through unanticipated ecological side effects. In addition, Third World farmers may see their culture upended when compelled to plant seeds that they must purchase yearly from First World corporations. The United States has decided to roll the dice with GMOs, but the administration ought to respect the rights of other countries to make their own free choices.

Doug Baker

Torrance